Promoting coops

With reference to Bihari Krishna Shrestha’s article “Budget 2005,” I agree with his statement that budget making in Nepal has been aimed at furthering the political fortunes of the

party in power. Without a party government at the helm and without the need to serve any political interest, it remains to be seen whether Finance Minister Madhukar Rana can lay the foundations for the attainability of a high per capita income for Nepali citizens, as he once said in an article published in THT.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari “promised” to promote cooperatives in every village and jobs for every household. But for the Nepali workforce that remained unfulfilled. Nearly all assurances in the past have failed to deliver.

I agree with Shrestha that the next budget comes at a critical stage. But I disagree that the finance minister can lay the foundation for attaining that ultimate goal of prosperity at a time when the parties are sidelined and political discord is at its peak. Moreover, the new budget will have to grapple with increasing expenses, security issues, dwindling aid and donor unreliability. The insurgents also will not allow development programmes to run

smoothly in the countryside.

High economic growth rate might be a good way of registering growth but that does not mean those in rural areas have been able to lead a better life. The recent survey which revealed that only around 30 per cent of the population now lives in poverty is, therefore, another piece of incredible news.

But there is a grain of truth in opening cooperatives in the villages. They have proven as easier, localised and reliable mechanism to take loans for local development that yields

results.

Rebika Sharma, Biratnagart

Open mind

This refers to Rakesh Wadhwas’s “Drop aid by helicopter” published in THT on May 9. I agree with most of his argument.

However I do not agree with the conclusion that development can be brought through open

market. There are examples of market failures and inequities fuelled by the market. I argue that it is the innovative policies and “open minds” that lead to development, not “open markets.” In Nepal it is now evident that there is a decline in poverty but the gap between the rich and poor has widened. The policy makers need to address this issue before the poor slide further into the poverty.

Balaraju Nikku, via e-mail

Bravo

The Russian ambassador to Nepal Valery V Nazarov delivered a frank and fiery speech at the Russian Cultural Centre on May 4 at the programme organised to commemorate the end of World War II.

The ambassador said that countries that are adopting double standards in supporting democracy, leadership or politics are not adopting the right policy towards Nepal, and clearly shows their inexperience on the subject of “causes of war and terrorism.” The speech was relevant in many aspects, particularly with regard to the wait and watch policy and the withdrawal of aid by the donors.

He also appreciated the role of Nepal in providing thousands of men to the Allied Forces during World War II. He said the sacrifices of some 7,500 Gurkhas who lost their lives could not be forgotten by the international community.

Anand Joshy, via e-mail